Assignment 7- Still Life

For this assignment, I chose to shoot a still life photo. We had to take a photo of a subject that we arrange. We also had to edit our photos in photoshop.

ISO: 80

F stop: f/4

exposure: 1/320

This assignment taught me how to take a good still life photo. I learned how to arrange elements of a photo to make it a still life. I arranged my photo by putting rocks in the shape of a heart and added a flower in the middle. I also edited it in photoshop by adjusting the curves and levels which helped bring out the colors and made the texture pop. I think my photo turned out really well, and photoshop gave the colors and textures a unique contrast.

Photoshop dictionary assignment

For this assignment, we had to use photoshop to edit at least three photos into one photo. The photo had to relate to a word which was incorporated into the photo, along with its meaning. We had to make three photos, relating to three different words.

I used the words, sparkle, music, and luck for this assignment. It helped me to utilize and put to work all of the skills I learned in photoshop. I think each photo looks unique and helped me use all the photoshop tools I have learned about from other assignments. My only problem with the assignment was getting the text to show up and be readable over my backgrounds. But overall, I really liked this assignment.

Assignment 6 - Black and White

For this assignment we had to take a black and white photo. We could put the camera on the black and white setting to take the photo, or edit the photo to be black and white in photoshop. The photo could be any photo we recently took of anything, as long as it was a good photo and would look good or even better in black and white. For this assignment we also had to edit our photos in photoshop.

 original

 edited

I learned from this assignment how to edit photos to be black and white in photoshop. I used the black and white setting and adjusted the levels of color in the photo. I learned that even though the photo is in black and white, there are still different levels of color in it which can be adjusted to give a totally different look to the photo. I took a picture of a tree in my yard. I like the picture and think it looks good in black and white because the texture of the tree really stands out in the photo and it is focused more on the textures in the photo than the colors.

Photoshop open assignment

I used the following website for my photoshop assignment:
http://www.astahost.com/info/tllfi-photoshop-tutorial-adding-color-black-white-photo-splash-pic.html

   The website article gave instructions on how to add color to a photo by desaturating it and adding color into selected areas. The website offers a lot of other photoshop tutorials to choose from. It was very easy to follow. The instructions were numbered which helped split up the steps to make it less overwhelming to do. The steps were also very detailed and specific and walked you through the directions so you weren't confused. The only problem I had with the website was the places where pictures were supposed to be inserted in the article were blue squares with question marks, but I could still complete the tutorial with only the instructions.
   The tutorial actually turned out to be a lot easier than I had expected. The directions were simple and it was easy to complete. I had planned on doing another, more difficult assignment, but I couldn't figure it out and didn't have enough time to do another assignment, so I edited more photos using the same tutorial:

Context

For this assignment we had to take a picture somewhere in the school. We had to edit the photo in photoshop. We could add our own photos or photos from online to our original photos to change them into something new.

original

edited

This assignment taught me a different way to utilize photoshop to edit my photos. It taught me how to realistically edit other photos into my photos to completely change them. I took a photo of a display case in the school. I used all kinds of photoshop tools, especially quick selection, layers, and eraser to give my photo the look of being a beach. 

Photo assignment 5, architecture

For this assignment we had to photograph architecture. you could take a picture of anything that showed architecture, such as buildings. We also had to edit our photos in photoshop to look different than our original photo.

 original

 edited

ISO- 80

f stop- f/4

exposure- 1/1000

This assignment taught me how to improve your photos by using photoshop to edit them. I also learned how to take photos that really showcase the architecture. I took photos of buildings in downtown ann arbor because they have a lot of great architecture. I think the assignment went well, and I had a lot of photos to chose from.

Portrait demo

For this assignment we had to take portrait pictures of people using studio setting and bounce cards. we used photoshop to adjust levels and add a black background and white frame. We also had to edit another photo and add a black background and frame.

This assignment helped familiarize me with photoshop. I learned how to use multiple layers to create a photo with a background and frame. It also taught me how to add more than one photo into one photoshop document. I learned the different effects that can be created with lighting and settings in photoshop. The lighting in my photos could have been better, but I think it went pretty well.

Assignment 4- nature

For this assignment, I photographed nature. The assignment was to take a picture that says something about the nature or landscapes we live in. We had to take a picture of something that was some kind of nature, or represented nature or some kind of landscape.

shutter speed- f/5
aperture- 1/125
ISO- 250




From this assignment I learned how to photograph nature. It taught me about the different light settings on the camera and which worked best outdoors. I took a picture of the sunset in my backyard. I  like my photo this week and think the assignment went really well. I think the bright colors complement the black outline of the trees and create a good contrast.

Assignment 3- Shadows

For this assignment I used shadows and light in my photos. The assignment was to take pictures that play on the contrast between shadows and light. I tried to capture these effects in my photos.

Shutter speed: 1/30
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/3.1




From this assignment I learned how to photograph shadows and light. I took a picture of a star we have on our wall. The window by it let in light which created the shadowy effect. I think the shadow of the star and the dark colored table I set it on contrasted well with the bright color of the wall and the silvery colored star. I think this assignment went really well and the picture looks very unique.

Panoramic

For this assignment we had to create panoramic photos using photoshop. We had to take at least three photos to create into one. We used photomerge on photoshop to merge the photos together.

This assignment taught me how to use a new setting on photoshop. I learned how to use photomerge to create panoramic photos. I learned how to use the manual setting on the camera to create the same effect on each photo. I also learned the importance of using a tripod or holding the camera very steadily in order for the panoramic effect to look right. I think this assignment went okay, my pictures weren't perfect but the photemerge created a cool effect.

Motion Demo

For this assignment we had to use motion blur in our photos. We took pictures of someone riding a bike and had to incorporate a motion blur effect. We did this by adjusting the shutter speed and taking the photo while following the speed of the bike with our cameras.

From this assignment I learned about the camera techniques needed to create a motion blur effect in photos. I learned that the shutter speed needs to be slowed down to create this effect. You have to follow the moving subject to keep them in focus but blur the background. I think this photo turned out okay, but the subject was pretty out of focus and the background probably could have been more blurred.

Photo Assignment 2- Animals

For this assignment we had to photograph animals. We had to include the activity or nature of the animal. I tried to capture the personality of my cat.

ISO- 400
Shutter Speed- 1/30
Aperture-  f/4

I learned from this assignment how to take better photos of animals. This assignment was really difficult for me. I think animals are harder to photograph because they are constantly moving so it is harder to take a clear and interesting picture. I took a picture of my cat who never sits still, but I think the photo was an accurate portrayal of his personality and nature.

Shooting Assignment 2 Inspiration

For my second photo assignment I want to focus on animals. I want to get better at taking pictures of moving subjects. I'm focusing on capturing the activity and nature of the animal.

Some pictures I found on flickr that are good inspiration are by:
rizwan_zakir0346
g2pix
insurance5
Dan65

I think these are great examples of animal photos. Each photo is interesting and tells you a lot about what the animals personalities are like. Some are close ups and some are wider shots, but both capture the nature of the animal really well. For this assignment I want to take a photo of my dog. I want to capture his unique personality and keep the photo interesting. I will probably shoot it outside and try to take a motion shot of him.

Car Retouch cont...

This is the photo we were trying to match with photoshop editing.

Car Retouch

For this assignment we had to retouch a photo of a car. We used photoshop to do the editing. We used cropping, the clone tool, selection tools, levels, and layers. We had to try to match are photo as closely as we could with a demo photo of what it should look like.

This assignment taught me how to utilize a lot of new tools in photoshop. It helped familiarize me with the editing software. I learned how to use cropping, the clone tool, selection tools, levels, and layers. I can use these tools to help improve my photos. This assignment went really well and helped clear up the confusion I had with some of the tools on photoshop.


* Is photo retouching ethical?
I think that photo editing should be allowed to be used... in moderation. It should be used to enhance the overall look of the photo, without completely changing it. The over edited photos of people in magazines are unrealistic and fake and shouldn't be edited to be so "perfect".

Photo Assignment 1, Macro

For this assignment I took a close up photo. I used the macro setting on the camera. The macro setting helps reveal details not often seen.

ISO- 400
shutter speed- 1/30
aperture- f/4









From this assignment I learned how to use the macro setting. It taught me how to take good close up photos. I took a picture of a necklace on a rocky background. I think the background and the necklace contrast each other well. I think my photo shows a lot of detail and I think the assignment went pretty well.

Pop Art

In this assignment we created pop art photos. We edited pictures from photo booth in photoshop to create a pop art effect.

This assignment was really fun. It taught me how to use a lot of the settings in photoshop. These new skills will definitely help me in later photo assignments. I learned how to use filters, guides, threshold, and how to resize the canvas and move layers. I think overall my photo turned out pretty well.

Shooting Assignment 1 Inspiration

For my first photo shooting assignment I want to focus on macro. I want to get better at focusing on subjects and adjusting the camera to help emphasize details in my photographs.

Some photographs I found on flickr that serve as good inspiration are by:

►CubaGallery
Ultima_Bruce
La.soares
@Doug88888

I think these are good examples of macro. Each photo does a great job of showing a lot of detail. I think that such close up photos are very interesting and can make something that appears simple look very complex. For this assignment I hope to be able to capture interesting details in my photos. I want to shoot pictures of jewelry, probably a necklace. I want my photo to bring out all of the details that aren't normally seen by just looking at the necklace.